Ocean Ride Guide

COAST TMA’s
RESOURCE & REFERENCE GUIDE FOR
COAST TMA
BRINGING A NEW WAVE OF TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS TO OCEAN COUNTY
COAST Transportation
Management Association
(COAST TMA)
www.gmtma.org
is Ocean County’s State designated
Transportation Management Association.
Our mission in Ocean County is to work
on mobility solutions for commuters, residents and employers. One way we are
doing so is by producing this guide to describe the availability of local transportation resources.
Funding for the design and printing of this publication was made possible through
a grant received by the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority via Federal
Highway Administration. No County monies were used in the production of this guide.
NON-DISCRIMINATION
POLICY
Ocean Ride is committed to ensuring that
no person is excluded from, or denied the
benefits of our services on the basis of
race, color, or national origin as protected
by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of
1964, as amended. Any person who believes that they have, individually, or as a
member of any specific class of persons,
been subjected to discrimination on the
basis of race, color, or national origin,
may file a complaint in writing to Ocean
Ride. To file a complaint, or for more information on Ocean Ride’s obligations
under Title VI call Ocean Ride at 732736-8989, ext. 235 or write to:
No Ocean Ride service is provided on the
following County holidays or recognized
day of observance: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Lincoln’s Birthday,
Washington’s Birthday, Independence Day,
Labor Day, Columbus Day, Election Day,
Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and
Thanksgiving Friday and Christmas Day.
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Ocean Ride at 1959 Route 9, P.O. Box
2191, Toms River, NJ 08754-2191
or visit the website at:
www.co.ocean.nj.us/Transportation.
Transportation services provided by this
agency are in whole or part funded
through federal funds received through
NJ TRANSIT and as an individual you
also have the right to file your complaint
under Title VI to NJ TRANSIT by writing to: New Jersey Transit Customer
Service – Title VI Division, One Penn
Plaza East, Newark, NJ 07105 or visit
www.njtransit.com/diversity. A complaint must be filed within 180 days of
the alleged discrimination.
OCEAN COUNTY IS A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE, WORK & PLAY.
Each year Ocean County welcomes many new residents, young
families as well as retirees, to our region. Growth means not only
new neighbors but more cars on our roads.
How we grow and preserve our mobility
is key to securing our way of life.
COAST TMA is part of the solution to reducing local roadway congestion.
Whether by need or by choice, public
transportation is one mobility solution
that can give you a ride to the doctor, take
you shopping or get you to work.
In Ocean County there are two public
transportation service providers, they are:
NJ TRANSIT The State of New
Jersey’s Bus & Rail service
OCEAN RIDE Ocean County’s
system of bus routes and Reserve - ARide service.
MORE CARS = INCREASED CONGESTION
COAST TMA prepared this Rider’s
Guide to help you learn about the Ocean
Ride system and the services they provide. We’ve also included limited information on NJ TRANSIT services in
Ocean County.
Use this information as a tool to access
schedules and fares on their website.
www.njtransit.com
There are also private carriers that offer
commuter service. To learn more about
these services visit our website at
www.gmtma.org.
Ocean Ride is administered by the Ocean
County Department of Transportation
Services.
Established in 1977, the system has
grown to meet the needs of our rapidly The system has two distinct types of
growing region. The Ocean County
Board of Chosen Freeholders is dedicated service:
Traditional scheduled bus routes
to continuing a financially sustainable
Variety of Reserve-A-Ride services
transportation service for all to enjoy.
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Ocean Ride operates 12 bus routes throughout Ocean County. The routes are designed
to connect key residential areas with popular destinations such as local governmental
facilities, health-care, shopping, employment, social services and other transit connections. The routes operate on a timed schedule, making it easy for you to plan your trip!
HOW CAN I FIND OUT WHEN AND WHERE THE BUSES RUN?
The bus routes operate on various day(s)
of the week, excluding County holidays.
To see which Ocean Ride bus route
serves your neighborhood, please refer to
the chart on the next page. The chart details the major places of interest in Ocean
County each route serves. Once you find
the route you need, the next thing you’ll
need is the schedule.
Most of the Ocean Ride buses are liftequipped and can accommodate the needs
of persons using mobility devices such as
wheelchairs and motorized scooters.
However, you’ll need to contact Ocean
Ride the day before to inform us of your
trip.
Call 732.736.8989 then press 4.
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Beachwood Borough
559
7
67, 137, 317
3, 3A, 4
67 & 137 (seasonal)
10 Toms River Connec+on
Bay Head Borough
Berkeley Township
Brick Township
Eagleswood Township – West Creek
Island Heights Borough
Jackson Township
Lacey Township
Lakehurst Borough
Lakewood Township
Manchester Township – Whi+ng
Rail - NJCL
559
559
139, (307, 308 - seasonal)
559
63, 64, 67, 130, 137, 139, 317,
559
559
Ocean Township – Waretown
559
Pine Beach Borough
559
Point Pleasant Borough
317
Ocean Gate Borough
Ocean Ride requires that passengers
have the exact fare ready before they
board the bus. Ocean Ride drivers
cannot make change.
For current fares, please refer to the
Ocean Ride “Fare” card in the back of
this brochure or check the timetable
for your route.
Ocean Ride
559
Long Beach Island Communi+es*
Ocean Ride bus fares are the best bargain
in town. Discount fares are available for
senior citizens, persons with disabilities
and college students.
NJ TRANSIT
Barnegat Township
Li,le Egg Harbor Township
Request a copy of the timetable by
calling: 732.736.8989, press 4.
Download it from the website at:
www.co.ocean.nj.us/Transportation.
Various Ocean County facilities.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST
TO RIDE THE BUS?
Municipality
Lavalle,e Borough
TO GET YOUR SCHEDULE YOU CAN:
The schedules also will show the hours of
operation, bus stop locations and fares.
Public Transit Service By Municipality in Ocean County
Plumsted Township - New Egypt
Point Pleasant Beach Borough
Seaside Heights/Seaside Park
317
317, Local 830, Rail NJCL
67 & 137 (seasonal)
South Toms River
559
Toms River Township
67, 137, 319, 559
Tuckerton Borough
559
Stafford Township - Manahawkin
559
Shopper’s Flex Route
1, 2, 7, 8
6
Shopper’s Flex Route
5
1, 1A, 2
4
10 Toms River Connec+on
6
9 LBI - North & South
1, 1A, 2
Shopper’s Flex Route
7
7
Shopper’s Flex Route
3A, 4
3A, 4
10 Toms River connec+on
(Seaside Heights Only)
7
9 LBI - North & South
1, 1A, 2, 3, 3A, 7, 8, 9,
10 Toms River Connec+on
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*Communi+es served: Barnegat Light, Beach Haven, Harvey Cedars, Long Beach Island Township, Ship Bo,om and Surf City.
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Route # and Name
Desnaons and Service Days
(paral list-check metable for specific areas served for your route)
Crestwood Village Shopping Center, Holiday City Mini-Mall, Community Medical Center,
Toms River Park and Ride, Toms River Shopping loca+ons, Ocean County Voca+onal
School to Ocean County Mall
Runs: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
1
Whi+ng
1a
Whi+ng Express
2
Manchester
Manchester Municipal Complex, Lakehurst Mall, Holiday City Mini-Mall, Community
Medical Center, Toms River Park & Ride and Ocean County Mall
Runs: Tuesday & Thursday
3
Brick
Brick Municipal Complex, Kohl’s Plaza, Brick Plaza, Ocean Medical Center and Laurel
Square Mall
Runs: Monday-Wednesday-Friday
3a
Pt. Pleasant
Laurel Square Mall, Point Pleasant Rail Sta+on, Brick Plaza, Bay Plaza (Fischer Blvd)
and Ocean County Mall
Runs: Tuesday & Thursday
Lakewood - Brick Link
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Whi+ng Commons, Whi+ng Town Center, Crestwood Village Shopping Center,
Manchester Municipal Complex/Ocean County Library-Manchester Branch, Lowe’s
Plaza and Ocean County Mall
Runs: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
NJ TRANSIT Bus Terminal, Lakewood Industrial Park to Brick Locaons: Target, Brick
Plaza, Kohl’s Plaza, Ocean Medical Center, Brick VA-upon request, Point Pleasant Borough Municipal Building, Point Pleasant Beach Rail Sta+on
Runs: Weekdays
Lacey
Super Walmart, Shop-Rite Plaza, Kohl’s/Home Depot, Lacey Municipal Building
Runs: Tuesday & Thursday
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Li,le Egg Harbor
Ocean County library-LEH Branch, LEH Southern Ocean Center for Health, LEH Senior
Center Great Bay Plaza, Acme, Route 9 Corridor, Shopping on Route 72, Southern Ocean
County Offices (County Clerk) and Southern Ocean County Medical Center
Runs: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
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Eastern Berkley
Berkeley Shopping Center, Baywick Plaza, Walmart, Social Security Office, Community
Medical Center, Toms River Shopping loca+ons, Toms River Park Ride and Ocean County
Mall.
Runs: Tuesday & Thursday
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Western Berkeley
Walmart, Social Security Office, Community Medical Center, Toms River Shopping loca+ons, Indian Head Plaza & Ocean County Mall
Runs: Tuesday & Thursday
5
9 LBI - North and South
10 Toms River Connec+on
Shopper’s Flex Routes
5
LBI-North – Barnegat Light, Harvey Cedars, Loveladies, Long Beach Township;
LBI-South – Long Beach Township, Beach Haven, Ship Bo,om, to assorted loca+ons
along Route 72 Manahawkin (Stafford)
Runs: Tuesdays Only
Lavalle,e, Seaside Heights, Downtown Toms River, Ocean County Mall, Ocean County
One-Stop Career Center, Ocean County Government Complex, Toms River Park & Ride,
Walmart to Toms River Business Park
Runs: Weekdays Only
Call 732. 736.8989, press 4 for loca+ons and schedules.
The Reserve-A-Ride system
provides door-to-door service
to eligible residents of Ocean
County on an advance reservation, first-come, first-serve basis. The ReserveA-Ride system is primarily designed to serve areas of the County not served by
the fixed route system and to ensure that all County residents have access to the
vital services they need for their personal well-being. Unlike the bus routes, these
routes do not operate on a schedule. Instead, the routes and pick-up times are
developed in response to the requests we receive. Transportation service to
local bus and rail stations as well as bus routes may be provided based on system availability. There are three types of Reserve-A-Ride services:
(RESERVE-A-RIDE)
ADVANCE RESERVATION
This service is best for trips to pre-scheduled appointments such as non-emergency medical service to doctor appointments and treatments. Ocean Ride reserves the right to prioritize customers requiring transportation to dialysis, chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
Please schedule your appointment with
your physician before you call to register
with Ocean Ride.
NEXT DAY TRIP
If you have a last minute travel need,
Ocean Ride can accommodate a limited
number of next day trips based on system
availability. This service is best suited for
shopping and other trips that are flexible and do not require a specific
appointment or time schedule. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that they will
be able to accommodate your request.
I’VE FOUND THE SERVICE THAT
SUITS MY NEEDS. HOW DO I
KNOW IF IM ELIGIBLE?
If you’re an Ocean County resident age
60 and over AND/OR a person with a disability (age 18 and over with valid documentation), you’re eligible for the
Reserve-A-Ride services. But you must
register with Ocean Ride prior to scheduling a trip.
WHEN ARE RESERVE-A-RIDE
SERVICES AVAILABLE?
STANDING ORDER
For riders requiring three (3) or more
trips per week to the same medical facil- 9:15am to 4:30pm Weekdays.
ity, for services like chemotherapy and The last return trip is 3:30pm.
radiation.
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HOW DO I REGISTER?
It’s easy to register. When calling for the first time, dial 732.736.8989 press 1
to request a new customer registration. One of the Reservationists will be
happy to assist you.
BE PREPARED TO PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WHEN YOU CALL:
First and Last Name
Home Address
(and mailing address, if different)
Telephone Number
Date of Birth
Sex
Disabilities
Race
Medicaid (if applicable)
Emergency Contact
(name & daytime number)
Household Income*
PAAD ID #
(if applicable, copy needs to be
on file with Ocean Ride)
The scheduling procedure varies depending on the service you wish to use.
HOW DO I SCHEDULE A RIDE?
CALL
NEXT DAY TRIP
Call the day before your trip to see if
there is space available. If Ocean Ride
can accommodate your trip, you will be
notified by 10:00 am the morning of the
trip.
Call Ocean Ride at 732.736.8989, your
call will be answered by an automated
system. Press 1 to speak to a Reservationist.
FOR A RIDE THIS WEEK
If you do not have a touch tone phone, please stay on the line and the Operator will personally answer your call. If you need the service of a TTY, dial 711 for
the Relay System.
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Name of Passenger.
(general range)
If you indicate that you use a mobility device such as a wheelchair or motorized
scooter, a Supervisor will conduct a site visit at your home to make sure there
are no obstacles that would prevent safe access to the vehicle (i.e., ramp or
driveway issue). This measure helps Ocean Ride to avoid problems at the initial time of service.
(*Information required by government funding source)
ADVANCE RESERVATION
Reservations must be made on a Monday,
Tuesday or Wednesday between 8:30am
and 4:30pm with a minimum of TWO (2)
WEEKS in advance. If the office is
closed due to a holiday, the reservation
period will be extended to allow for three
(3) days of reservations each week.
WHAT INFORMATION DO I NEED
TO PROVIDE TO SCHEDULE A
RIDE?
When you call to make a trip reservation,
be prepared to provide the following information to the Reservationist:
Date & time of scheduled
appointment.
When you are ready to leave, please stay
in the pick-up area until your designated
pick-up time. If multiple people have
joint or linked trips (such as husband and
wife) the reservation staff must be notified at the time reservations are made.
Only customers with reservations will be
allowed on the vehicle.
If your appointment is running late,
please call Ocean Ride so they can alert
the driver.
HOW MUCH DOES A RESERVE-ARIDE COST?
Estimated length of
appointment time.
Name of appointment doctor
and full street address including: suite, building number
and/or department name.
(if applicable)
If someone who assists you
will be going with you to your
appointment.
Your return trip information.
Reserve-A-Ride fares vary depending on
the type of service the customer is using.
The Ocean Ride “Fare” card in the back
of this brochure explains the fare structure and policy for each. All Reserve–
A–Ride clients will be billed for actual
trips, the month after service has been
provided. Drivers are prohibited from accepting any cash or checks for payment
of service. Drivers are not allowed to accept tips.
Riders with PAAD status must mail in a
copy of their valid ID card to Ocean Ride
to receive a discount.
TRIP REQUESTS FOR THE RESERVEA-RIDE SYSTEM ARE NOT ACCEPTED
BY EMAIL OR VOICE MAIL. ALL TRIP
REQUESTS ARE HANDLED BY TELEPHONE BY RESERVATIONISTS.
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ARE DONATIONS STILL ACCEPTED? Yes, if you or someone else
wishes to make a donation to the Ocean Ride Service, please make your check
payable to the “Ocean County Treasurer” and mail it to: Ocean County Transportation Services, 1959 Route 9, P.O. Box 2191, Toms River, NJ 08754-2191. Drivers are
NOT permitted to accept cash or check donations. A donation received cannot be applied to a passenger’s service account.
WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW
ABOUT RESERVE-A-RIDE?
Ocean Ride’s Reserve-A-Ride is a shared
ride service and does not operate like a
taxi service. Ocean Ride vehicles will
transport other passengers in the vehicle
with you.
Drivers may only go to the main entrance
of a common area of an apartment or office building. Additional assistance MAY
be provided if deemed necessary. Drivers
are NEVER allowed to enter a private
residence.
Passengers should be ready one (1) hour
before their appointment. In consideration of other scheduled riders, the vehicle
Drivers cannot make any additional
stops (without prior authorization from will wait no more than 5 minutes.
the office). They can only take you to
the destination you originally reserved. Drivers cannot take wheelchairs up and
down stairs.
WEATHER POLICY
Ocean Ride may find it necessary to cancel or modify scheduled service during
periods of inclement weather (for example, severe snow and ice storms and
coastal storm events). The following
radio stations will inform you if service is
operating. Please keep in mind that
Ocean Ride telephones will be especially
busy during these times.
WOBM 1160 AM
WBBO 98.5 FM
WJRZ 100.1 FM
WOBM 92.7 FM
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If you have a comment or complaint, call Ocean Ride at 732.736.8989 ext. 235 or
Toll-Free at 1. 877. 929. 2082 ext. 235.
HOW TO CONTACT OCEAN RIDE
For persons with hearing impairments dial 711 for the NJ Relay Service.
Be sure to indicate the time, date, bus route name, vehicle number, employee name
and briefly describe the incident. Or write to Ocean Ride at the address below:
Attn: Ocean Ride, Business Manager
Ocean County Transportation Services
1959 Route 9 • P.O. Box 2191
Toms River, NJ 08754-2191
732. 736. 8989
www.co.ocean.nj.us/Transportation
If you have a particular question, contact Ocean Ride online at:
OceanRideInfo@co.ocean.nj.us
This Resource and Reference Guide for Ocean Ride is available in large type or
accessible format upon request.
NJ TRANSIT - ACCESS LINK
ACCESS LINK is for people whose disabilities prevent them from using NJ
TRANSIT local fixed route bus service. Access Link operates the same day and
hour schedule as NJ TRANSIT local bus route service. An Access Link trip (origin and destination) must fall within 3/4 mile of a designated local bus route.
Call 800.955.2321 (8:00AM – 4:00PM) for eligibility and additional information.
(CONTACT INFORMATION)
732.736.8989
Email: OceanRideInfo@co.ocean.nj.us
Ocean County Transportation Services
1959 Route 9 • P.O. Box 2191
Toms River, NJ 08754-2191
www.co.ocean.nj.us/Transportation
Ocean Ride is a service of the
Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders
OTHER SERVICES OFFERED BY OCEAN RIDE
Veterans Transportation
Disabled Employment Transportation (DETS)